BWV & BCV Report December 5-16 (Long)

[ceejay13]

We just returned from an 11 night stay split between the BWV and BCV. From Dec. 5-10 we had a BW GV, room 5035 to be exact. Our favorite place in the world is the BWV and have stayed there many times and our rooms have always been in great shape. This is the first time we have had issues with our room, and a GV no less. It was one of the 2 story villas, and don't get me wrong we still had a great time the room condition was somewhat dissapointing. We had a party of 8 but one couple opted for the fold out couch. We immediately went to the closet to make sure there were pillows and blankets but couldn't find them so we pulled out the couch to look. (Come to find out they are stored in the drawer of the armoire as there is no hall closet.) Underneath the couch was a lot of dust, lots crumbs and an empty water bottle. I called housekeeping and they came up with the pillows and blankets and I asked them to clean under the couch. She proceeded to tell me that she really isn't from housekeeping and she just had surgery but she would try. She definetely needed some pixie dust. Anyway she left and I turned on the light above the dining room table and there was a large perfectly shaped cobweb on the chandelier. Then we went to put groceries away and the bottom door shelf on the fridge was missing the rail around it, so we couldn't put anything on the bottom shelf. Then we went into the master bedroom and there were two tears in the wall and the drywall was exposed a couple of inches in both cases. Also beware that the 2 story villas don't have a balcony off the master BR. We have been members for almost 5 years and this was our first GV, and I have to say I was not as excited as I thought I might be. It certainly didn't dampen our trip, however. We had a great time, my DH and friends golfed 4 of the days. They used the DVC golf pass and raved about the courses. We all went to MVMCP on the 7th and had many great dinners around the "world". We definetely made many magical memories. The rest of the BW CMs were great and very friendly. On the 10th we moved to a 1 bdr at the BCV, room 546. We had 6 nights just to ourselves. Although we have owned at the BCV for a couple of years as an add on, this was our first stay. We enjoyed it immensely. The room was in perfect shape and all of the CMs were very friendly. We were to have T & T service on the 13th but when we came back around 5:00 to change for dinner that day they hadn't been there so we called and while we were at dinner they came up. The next day when we returned they had done a full cleaning as a way of apologizing. We certainly didn't expect it but it sure was nice. I had sent the BCV tree down the last of November and when we inquired with the bell desk they couldn't find it. This went on for a couple of days so I went down personally and a very nice CM said she would personally look after she took care of another issue, and would call and leave a message either way. After we returned later that night the tree was there and a message on the phone. After hearing some negatives about the BCV I was a little cautious, but we had a magical stay. Our room had an awesome view of Illuminations. We decorated our balconies at both places and had trees at both places. What a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays. Can't wait for our next trip in April!

 

[kathleena]

If I had known you were in that Room I would have knocked on my way by!!! Seriously - I walked down that hall a few times during my stay that overlapped yours!

Very sorry for your experience at BWV. Based on my conversation with a very nice CM from maintenance, I think thye may have replaced your refrigerator right away - at least repaired it. They were great with our few and minor issues.

Not sure about the cobwebs, as they occasionally grow in my own home - sometimes in just a matter of days. You can never tell how long it's actually been there! I would have been ee-wwww, but it wouldn't really make me think less of them.

And great about the BCV!!!! For all the complaining that's been done - and a recent post saying the DVC was aware and sounded like they are dealing with it - this is a great example of BCV going beyond the call not just once but twice. I hope you write to DVC to commend them so they get at least some positives!!

Can't wait to be there myself in March!

 

[donmil723]

ceejay13--I think I saw your balcony lights. Did your room face the road/Epcot? Someone also had candy cane lights on their balcony facing the quiet pool. It was nice sitting in the hot tub looking up at the lights.

Thanks for sharing!

Donna

 

[ceejay13]

Our room did face Epcot. We saw the candy canes, as well. As to the service at the BCV I will definetely make some positive comments on the survey we usually get. I had a couple other CM encounters that were great, as well. You should have knocked Kathleena, we love company. Actually on our last day we wanted a "Brady Bunch" type picture with all of us on one of the stairs and a guest walking down the hall was good enough to come in and take the picture for us.

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Welcome back! We'll be going to BWV soon, and are planning to put up X-mas lights on our balcony. How did you attach them? I have multicolor lights, will those be okay?

Thanks!

 

[wdwstar]

sounds like you had a great time, i hope you left some warm weather for us !

i hope the tree passing wasnt to much of a pain, i just dont understand why the bellhop service is having such a hard time with finding the trees. and some resorts they are not having a problem

 

[ceejay13]

CaliforniaDreaming - For the ones on the BWV we had lights attached to garland which we wrapped around the balcony. They were multi-colored and we had to use extension cords to run them into the villa. We used two 18 foot strings for the 2 balconies. We bought them at Walmart for $10 a string. At the BCV we had another string not attached to garland that we added. My DH wrapped the cord around a light fixture on the balcony and strung them across the door and wrapped them around the light fixture on the other end. We had 2 extension cords there, one for the garland lights and the other for the string draped across the light fixtures. I have heard some people get suction cups with the hooks attached to string the lights up. Only OKW has electrical sockets on the patio so don't forget your extension cords.

wdwstar - Hope you have a great holiday. It did turn cold for us on Tuesday & Wednesday. The rest of the time the high was in the 80s. I did use another marker and put the next family's name for the tree in bold letters. My DH walked it down to the bell desk, gave them a tip, and asked that it be delivered the their room when the checked in on Friday.

 

[erikthewise]

Thanks for the review! We had 546 for our first trip home to BCV! It's hard to imagine a better view of SSE, but admit it, you had to lean up to the balcony to see Illuminations, didn't you?

We were in 529 from the 9th to the 13th!

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

CaliforniaDreaming - For the ones on the BWV we had lights attached to garland which we wrapped around the balcony. They were multi-colored and we had to use extension cords to run them into the villa. We used two 18 foot strings for the 2 balconies. We bought them at Walmart for $10 a string. At the BCV we had another string not attached to garland that we added. My DH wrapped the cord around a light fixture on the balcony and strung them across the door and wrapped them around the light fixture on the other end. We had 2 extension cords there, one for the garland lights and the other for the string draped across the light fixtures. I have heard some people get suction cups with the hooks attached to string the lights up. Only OKW has electrical sockets on the patio so don't forget your extension cords.

Thanks! Did the door shut okay with the cord in it?

 

[ceejay13]

No you need to keep the door cracked open.